Herefordshire

Herefordshire's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, health and work life.

The population passed 180,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Herefordshire increased by 4.9%, from almost 175,000 to 183,000.

The addition of just over 8,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Herefordshire was home to, on average, 0.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres). This made it the West Midlands' least densely-populated unitary authority.

Population density was lower than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Disablity in Herefordshire

This area saw the West Midlands' largest fall in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

Across the region, Malvern Hills saw the next largest decrease in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 89% in 2001 to 87% in 2011).

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (89%) in Herefordshire reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities, compared with 90% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.9% to 3.6%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Herefordshire stood out from other areas for work life

In Herefordshire, the proportion went up from 50% in 2001 to 51% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion fell from 52% to 51%.

The rate of unemployment in Herefordshire remained close to 3.3%, while the rate of self-employment remained close to 14%.

The rate of employment was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were employed across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Herefordshire that rented privately increased from 10% to 16% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under one in seven (14%) households lived in social housing, compared with 15% in 2001. The percentage of Herefordshire households that owner their home decreased from 71% to 68%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 7.3% in 2001 to 14% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Herefordshire increased by 5.2 percentage points

Percentage of households in Herefordshire, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Herefordshire residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.3% to 5.2% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of Herefordshire residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 9.7% in 2001 to 6.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Herefordshire decreased by 3.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Herefordshire, the West Midlands and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in Herefordshire working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 16% to 13% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (2.9%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 2.0% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 13% in 2001 to 9.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in Herefordshire decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Herefordshire, the West Midlands and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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